U.S. patent number 4,351,458 [Application Number 06/232,563] was granted by the patent office on 1982-09-28 for rotary thread spool storage tree.
Invention is credited to Jack L. Wolfe.
United States Patent |
4,351,458 |
Wolfe |
September 28, 1982 |
Rotary thread spool storage tree
Abstract
A rotatable thread spool storage tree comprises a vertically
extending post which carries a plurality of vertically spaced
groups of limbs, the limbs of each group projecting outwardly from
the post and being disposed 90.degree. apart. Each limb mounts an
arm which is disposed 90.degree. relative to its limb so that the
spool mounted thereon bears flush against the associated limb. The
arrangement provides for a maximum number of limbs and arms in a
given length of post, thereby providing for the storage of a
maximum number of thread spools of conventional or large size, or a
combination of the two, together with their bobbins, in a minimum
of space.
Inventors: |
Wolfe; Jack L. (Milwaukie,
OR) |
Family
ID: |
22873649 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/232,563 |
Filed: |
February 9, 1981 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/106; 211/163;
211/59.1; 211/77; 242/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05B
91/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D05B
91/00 (20060101); D05B 91/14 (20060101); A41H
031/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;211/163,59.1,77,196
;242/139 ;223/106 ;D3/23,24 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Epstein; Henry F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Olson; Oliver D.
Claims
Having thus described my invention, and the manner in which it may
be used, I claim:
1. A thread spool storage tree, comprising:
(a) a base,
(b) an elongated, vertically extending post member mounted on said
base,
(c) outwardly projecting limb members arranged along the length of
the post member in longitudinally spaced groups each of a plurality
of limb members disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals
around said post, and
(d) an upwardly and outwardly extending spool holding arm member
supported on each said limb member,
(e) the arm and limb members being arranged on the post to allow
installation and removal of each spool without interference from
spools on adjacent arm and limb members.
2. The thread spool storage tree of claim 1 wherein said post
member is mounted on the base for rotation relative thereto.
3. The thread spool storage tree of claim 2 including a multi-sided
containment cabinet about said storage tree, the base forming the
bottom of the cabinet.
4. The thread spool storage tree of claim 1 wherein the limb
members of each group are displaced circumferentially about the
center post member 45.degree. from the limb members of its adjacent
group, and each said limb member in each group is arranged to
project outwardly and downwardly, forming an included angle with
the center post member of about 40.degree., and each said arm
member projects upwardly and outwardly at about 90.degree. relative
to its associated limb member, and is of sufficient length to hold
a thread spool and a bobbin.
5. The thread spool storage tree of claim 1 wherein the limb
members of each group are arranged around the center post member
vertically in line with the limb members of its adjacent limb
group, each limb member is arranged to project substantially
perpendicularly from the post member, each arm member projects
upwardly at about 90.degree. relative to its associated limb member
and angularly outward from a plane extended through the axes of its
limb member and post member, each arm member is configured to mount
a large size thread spool, and the outer portion of each arm member
is reduced in diameter to receive a bobbin for storage.
6. The thread spool storage tree of claim 4 wherein said post
member is mounted on the base for rotation relative thereto.
7. The thread spool storage tree of claim 5 wherein said post
member is mounted on the base for rotation relativethereto.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to thread spool storage devices, and more
particularly to a rotary storage tree which, by arrangement of
storage arms and limbs relative to a center rotary post, provides
for the holding of a maximum number of thread spools in a given
length of post.
Devices for the storage of thread spools have been provided
heretofore. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,575,129 Schenk; 2,532,654 Zierold et
al; and 4,029,241 Krake disclose such holders. The holder disclosed
by Schenk provides a central upright secured to a base, the upright
comprising a plurality of wires twisted and bent to form a
plurality of laterally extending and vertically spaced branches
each of which includes a plurality of spool supporting spindles,
each succeeding lower branch having a greater number of spindles
than the branch immediately above.
The spool holder of Zierold et al provides a plurality of
vertically and laterally spaced spool fingers which are struck out
from portions of vertically spaced sheet metal shelf plates.
Krake discloses a spool holder in which a vertical post supports a
plurality of outwardly extending spool supporting arms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its basic concept, the spool holder of this invention utilizes a
plurality of spool storage limbs radiating outwardly from a center
post in longitudinally spaced groups of four limbs each, disposed
90.degree. apart, each limb mounting a spool holding arm of
sufficient length to hold a spool of thread and a bobbin.
It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principal
objective of this invention is achieved; namely, the provision of a
thread spool storage tree in which a maximum number of spool
holding limbs are arranged along a given length of center post,
thereby allowing for the efficient storage and presentation of a
maximum number of thread spools and respective bobbins in a minimum
of space.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a rotary thread
spool storage tree of the class described in which cabinetry may be
arranged about the tree, and the tree may be rotated therein so as
to present desired spools to the user while preventing
unintentional dislocation of the remainder should the assembly be
upset.
A further object of this invention is the storage of conventional
spools of either regular or large sizes or any combination of both,
and their associated sewing machine bobbins.
A still further object of this invention is the provision of a
thread spool storage tree which is of simplified construction for
economical manufacture.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention
will appear from the following detailed description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings of preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a foreshortened front elevation of a spool storage tree
embodying the features of this invention, the tree being associated
with a cabinet shown in broken lines and illustrating the angular
and radially offset arrangement of the limb groups used for the
storage of regular size spools.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the storage tree of FIG. 1 showing the
arrangement of the post and associated limb members in the storage
cabinet.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the storage
tree of this invention showing the arrangement of limbs and arms
configured to receive large size spools.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tree of FIG. 3 showing the symmetrical
arrangement of the limb groups.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The thread spool storage tree of this invention is illustrated in
the drawings as being mounted in a cabinet formed of a base 10,
side and back walls 12, a top wall 14, and a door 16 movably
connected to one side wall by hinges 18. Arranged centrally on the
base 10 is a pivot peg 20, and another pivot peg 22, slightly
longer, is centrally provided in the top 16.
The tree of FIGS. 1 and 2, arranged for receiving regular size
spools of thread, includes a central post member 24 which
incorporates centrally located axial bores 26 and 28 in its ends
for rotational and removable engagement with pivot pegs 20 and 22.
As illustrated, the upper bore 26 is configured deeper into the
post 24 in order that the post may be lifted slightly, thereby
disengaging the lower pivot peg 22 from the lower bore for removal
of the post from the cabinet, if desired.
The tree as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a plurality of limbs 30
arranged along the length of the post 24 at longitudinally spaced
intervals in groups of four limbs each, disposed at 90.degree.
intervals around the post. As illustrated, the limbs are angled
downwardly, forming with the post an included angle of preferably
about 40 degrees, and the limbs of each group of limbs are
displaced circumferentially 45 degrees from the limbs of its
adjacent group. In this manner a maximum number of limbs may be
provided along a given length of post.
Each limb 30 supports an upwardly and outwardly extending arm 32
which is disposed at 90.degree. relative to its associated limb.
The axis of each arm is disposed in a plane which extends through
the axis of its associated limb and the axis of the post 24. The
arm serves to mount a regular size spool, and it is of sufficient
length to project upwardly from the spool to receive a sewing
machine bobbin for storage.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the storage tree,
with limbs and arms configured to receive large size spools and yet
their conventional sewing machine bobbins. The central post 24
mounts limbs 34 arranged in vertically spaced groups of four limbs
each disposed at 90.degree. intervals around the post, as
previously described. However, the limbs project perpendicularly
from the post, and each group is symmetrically in line with its
adjacent groups.
Each limb mounts an arm 36 disposed substantially 90.degree.
relative to its limb so that the spool mounted thereon bears flush
against the associated limb. However the arm extends angularly
upward and outward, forming with a plane extended through the axis
of the associated limb and the axis of post 24 an included angle of
about 40.degree.. This arrangement accommodates a maximum number of
large spools in a minimum of space. The outermost portion 38 of
each arm 36, as illustrated, is reduced in diameter to receive a
bobbin for storage.
To illustrate the effectiveness of the foregoing structural
arrangement, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 affords the storage of
48 regular size thread spools (3.5 cm diameter by 4.5 cm long) and
associated bobbins using a center post 40 cm long by 3 cm diameter,
12 groups of limbs 30 of four limbs each 1 cm diameter and 5.4 cm
long and 48 associated arms 32 of 0.5 cm diameter and 1 cm long.
The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 affords the storage of 20 large
size thread spools (5 cm diameter by 6.4 cm long) and associated
bobbins using the same center post dimensions as above, 5 groups of
limbs 34 of four limbs each 1.25 cm diameter and 5.4 cm long and 20
associated arms having an inner section 36 of 1.25 cm diameter and
5.4 cm long and an outer section 38 of 0.5 cm diameter and 2.5 cm
long.
The use and operation of the thread spool storage tree described
above is as follows: The cabinet door 16 is opened and the axial
bores 26 and 28 of a desired tree are placed in rotational
engagement with the pegs 20 and 22 projecting inwardly from the
base and top wall of the cabinet. Loading and unloading of thread
spools is accomplished by rotating the tree so that the desired
arms and spools are presented centrally in the door opening. Those
spools are positioned directly forward are maintained on the arms
against inadvertent displacement by the limited space defined by
the confining walls of the cabinet. When the door of the cabinet is
closed, all spools are confined to their respective support arms
and, therefore, inadvertent tipping of the cabinet will not result
in spillage of the spools.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes may be made in the size, shape, type, number and
arrangement of parts described hereinbefore. For example, the trees
have been described and illustrated as providing storage of either
regular or large size spools. It will be understood however, that a
center post may incorporate any desired combination of the
described limb groups for storing any desired number of regular
spools and large spools. Thus, for example, one or more limb groups
for large spools may be supported at the top or bottom portion of
the post, or both, with the remaining limb groups being of the type
for supporting regular size spools. Other arrangements may be made,
as desired. The number of spools of thread provided for storage is
dependent and limited by varying lengths of center post. The
interior of the cabinet may be configured with various appropriate
receptacles for storing other items such as scissors, pins,
needles, tape, etc. The cabinet may be omitted and the post and
limb and arm assembly simply mounted, fixed or rotatably, on a
supporting base. The foregoing and other changes may be made
without departing from the spirit of this invention and the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *